Many French manufacturers of the early years of motoring had their origins in common components. The Mignonette-Luap was a light voiturette with a tubular chassis powered by a rear-mounted 2¼-horsepower De Dion-Bouton engine, greatly favored by many manufacturers of this small, light type of motorcar for producing greater power from the same displacement than other engines of contemporary design. It also incorporated many other features common to voiturettes; for instance, it had steering by tiller bar, and in a time when even the most stalwart manufacturers were usually seeking to reassure clients of their product’s reliability, it was supplied with not only an engine, but a set of foot pedals. In the event that the Mignonette-Luap “failed to proceed”, it could simply be pedalled to a garage!

Production of the marque, by the Bordeaux-based firm Jiel-Laval et Cie, lasted for scarcely four years, from 1897 to 1900. It is said that the majority of the cars were produced on-specification for an affluent local gentleman, Paul Legendre, and it is likely that each was unique in specification.

The example offered here was located by enthusiast Soames Langton in the Heroult area of France in the early 1980s, and acquired by John Wandless who reassembled the project and undertook a partial restoration, details of which are included within the file. Dated by the Veteran Car Club as having been built in 1900, it is equipped with a De Dion engine with water-cooled Brassard cylinder head, trembler coil ignition, and later Amal motorcycle carburettor, delivering power through a Boxier two-speed gearbox. The car has proven its owners well on the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, having undertaken it on three occasions and completed them all in prior ownership. It would also be an ideal choice for any other number of significant events, including those of the De Dion Club and other Veteran Car Club rallies. Accompanying is a history file with some research information and correspondence, as well as a copy V5C in a prior owner’s name.

This is a wonderful little Veteran voiturette of abundant charm and character—and likely to be the only Mignonette-Luap wherever one ventures with it in the coming years.